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The Marriage Rule
After you say, “I do,” there’s one more thing you must do…
A propulsive domestic thriller about what it takes to keep a marriage together, from “addictive” (People) author Helen Monks Takhar
Nine months into motherhood, Elle is struggling. Struggling to balance parenting with work, struggling to feel at home in her post-baby body, struggling to be intimate with her adoring husband, Dom. If Elle loves her job, her baby, and her handsome and successful husband, why does everything seem so hard, especially when Dom is such a helpful, hands-on dad to boot?
Elle turns to her charismatic new colleague Gabriel to get through the day, and a few too many glasses of red wine to soothe her at night. For a while the distractions work, until one night, she wakes up bleary-eyed in a hotel room next to a man who's not her husband. And he's dead.
Elle knows Dom is the only person who has any hope of helping her escape her hotel room a free woman, even if asking for his support now will destroy their future. Elle also knows she’d never have ended up in such trouble if she’d followed The Marriage Rule, the one thing she’s been told a wife needs to do…
A propulsive domestic thriller about what it takes to keep a marriage together, from “addictive” (People) author Helen Monks Takhar
Nine months into motherhood, Elle is struggling. Struggling to balance parenting with work, struggling to feel at home in her post-baby body, struggling to be intimate with her adoring husband, Dom. If Elle loves her job, her baby, and her handsome and successful husband, why does everything seem so hard, especially when Dom is such a helpful, hands-on dad to boot?
Elle turns to her charismatic new colleague Gabriel to get through the day, and a few too many glasses of red wine to soothe her at night. For a while the distractions work, until one night, she wakes up bleary-eyed in a hotel room next to a man who's not her husband. And he's dead.
Elle knows Dom is the only person who has any hope of helping her escape her hotel room a free woman, even if asking for his support now will destroy their future. Elle also knows she’d never have ended up in such trouble if she’d followed The Marriage Rule, the one thing she’s been told a wife needs to do…
320 pages, Paperback
Published May 13, 2025
42 people are currently reading
5545 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
April 9, 2025
Content warning: SA and domestic abuse
This was tough to read as many parts hit very close to home for me. HOWEVER, a well done and gripping psychological thriller with a very important message. Appreciated the author's note at the end and would love to read more from her.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!
This was tough to read as many parts hit very close to home for me. HOWEVER, a well done and gripping psychological thriller with a very important message. Appreciated the author's note at the end and would love to read more from her.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!
May 26, 2025
Reading this novel proved to be a curious experience—technically well-crafted, structurally sound, and filled with unexpected plot turns, yet emotionally distancing. I found myself unable to connect with any of the characters on a personal or emotional level. In fact, I often felt actively disengaged from them, which made the reading experience feel more observational than immersive. My attention became less about rooting for the characters and more about seeking narrative justification, hoping that the story would reveal something to challenge my initial detachment.
The structure of the book itself is compelling: it opens with a gripping pace, drawing readers in like the first climb of a roller coaster. However, the middle section shifts into a slower, more introspective burn that, while thematically intentional, may test the reader’s patience. That said, the final act delivers a series of impactful twists that force a reevaluation of earlier plot points, recontextualizing much of what came before. The narrative reveals its layers deliberately, and for many readers, this may result in a rewarding, if delayed, emotional payoff.
It’s worth noting that while the lack of personal resonance left me feeling like an outlier, I couldn't fault the book’s literary quality or its thematic ambition. In fact, I found myself questioning whether my inability to connect was more a matter of personal taste than a flaw in the writing itself. Readers should also be aware that this book contains several difficult and potentially distressing themes, including domestic violence, sexual assault (including graphic depictions of rape), and violence against women, including spousal abuse. These elements are woven into the story in a way that is unflinching and may be upsetting for some. Overall, while this book did not emotionally land for me, it remains a thought-provoking and intricately plotted work that others may find more resonant.
The structure of the book itself is compelling: it opens with a gripping pace, drawing readers in like the first climb of a roller coaster. However, the middle section shifts into a slower, more introspective burn that, while thematically intentional, may test the reader’s patience. That said, the final act delivers a series of impactful twists that force a reevaluation of earlier plot points, recontextualizing much of what came before. The narrative reveals its layers deliberately, and for many readers, this may result in a rewarding, if delayed, emotional payoff.
It’s worth noting that while the lack of personal resonance left me feeling like an outlier, I couldn't fault the book’s literary quality or its thematic ambition. In fact, I found myself questioning whether my inability to connect was more a matter of personal taste than a flaw in the writing itself. Readers should also be aware that this book contains several difficult and potentially distressing themes, including domestic violence, sexual assault (including graphic depictions of rape), and violence against women, including spousal abuse. These elements are woven into the story in a way that is unflinching and may be upsetting for some. Overall, while this book did not emotionally land for me, it remains a thought-provoking and intricately plotted work that others may find more resonant.
February 16, 2025
I recieved this e-book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book! This isn't my typical genre but I decided to give this one a shot and I'm glad I did. It kept me guessing and wondering who I could and couldn't trust throughout the entirety of the book. Some of the verbiage was odd for me, but that may have just been personal preference. Towards the end I didn't want to put it down.
April 11, 2025
1 Star — Couldn’t Finish Due to Content
I was initially intrigued by the opening of The Marriage Rule, but the story quickly took a turn that made it hard to continue. The plot became unsettling, and I wasn’t expecting the level of disturbing content it contained.
Trigger warnings for sexual assault and abuse — I wish these had been more clearly stated upfront. These themes are woven deeply into the narrative in a way that felt gratuitous and uncomfortable. I ultimately had to DNF because it was just too much. Not the book for me.
Thank you to Netgallery for the free ARC I wish I would have liked it.
I was initially intrigued by the opening of The Marriage Rule, but the story quickly took a turn that made it hard to continue. The plot became unsettling, and I wasn’t expecting the level of disturbing content it contained.
Trigger warnings for sexual assault and abuse — I wish these had been more clearly stated upfront. These themes are woven deeply into the narrative in a way that felt gratuitous and uncomfortable. I ultimately had to DNF because it was just too much. Not the book for me.
Thank you to Netgallery for the free ARC I wish I would have liked it.
May 9, 2025
This author writes a stinger of a book, one of her previous books ‘Precious You’ now re published as ‘That Woman’ was my fav book of 2020 so I know what to expect when start a new book, however it is always still shockingly unexpected….and as raw as can be, as real as reality, as harsh as life is and yet more than readable if uncomfortable at times, cozy it is not
I will give warning that the book includes marital rape and abuse, psychological and sexual but it is needed in context to the main story in the book and the outcomes
The author doesn’t just touch on themes some would skittle away from she devours them and is indulgent ( is that the right word ? ) in a good way and backs up her fiction with non fiction statistics at the end of the book, disgusting statistics that will shock anyone, this though is good for any doubters to the fiction side
The story is bold and covers all manner of things from marital mental bullying and control to workplace harassment, friendship loyalty, sexual appeasement in a marriage,feelings of not being adequate as a new Mum, alcohol dependency, family loyalties, food and keeping a woman ‘big’ to suit a husbands dominance and many other subject matters
In amongst all this is a really good story with all these angles and layers fitting around it, good and loathsome characters and yes a monster twist that was superb
Read this author with caution as she will challenge you and make you question things
Superb and disquieting, brilliant and harrowing, dark but with chinks of light
I will give warning that the book includes marital rape and abuse, psychological and sexual but it is needed in context to the main story in the book and the outcomes
The author doesn’t just touch on themes some would skittle away from she devours them and is indulgent ( is that the right word ? ) in a good way and backs up her fiction with non fiction statistics at the end of the book, disgusting statistics that will shock anyone, this though is good for any doubters to the fiction side
The story is bold and covers all manner of things from marital mental bullying and control to workplace harassment, friendship loyalty, sexual appeasement in a marriage,feelings of not being adequate as a new Mum, alcohol dependency, family loyalties, food and keeping a woman ‘big’ to suit a husbands dominance and many other subject matters
In amongst all this is a really good story with all these angles and layers fitting around it, good and loathsome characters and yes a monster twist that was superb
Read this author with caution as she will challenge you and make you question things
Superb and disquieting, brilliant and harrowing, dark but with chinks of light
May 9, 2025
This was a compelling narrative that I felt more drawn to, the more I read. However, admittedly it did take me a while to settle into the story and for the first chunk of the novel, I was worried this would be a non-starter read.
The book is cleverly structured at the beginning and ending of Elle’s crisis. In present day, she wakes up in bed next to a dead body, an abhorrent hang over and very little memory of what happened. Readers are then taken back twenty one days previously, and we begin to understand how events lead up to Elle’s strange awakening.
Initially I was frustrated by how slow the story took to get going. I felt I was more interested in the bedroom scene and couldn’t care much about what happened to Elle previously. Yet, the more I learned about this past narrative, the more I realised its importance. Indeed, it came to the point where each timeline ended on a cliff-hanger, making me hungry to read further about revelations.
To a point, the plot is predictable. I found it quite obvious to see the direction that the story was headed, perhaps adding to my trouble immersing myself into the novel. However, I was compelled by how the past would marry up to the present, as well as seeing the bigger picture with Elle’s marriage. She is clearly struggling, based on how much alcohol she consumes, and cannot see that her marriage to Dom isn’t perhaps as glorious as she may have thought.
Covering particularly sobering themes, Monks Takhar explores marriage and relationships. Marriage vows are taken to a new extreme in this book and Elle can’t help but question why she struggles to satisfy Dom on the intimate side of their relationship. According to Elle’s close friend, this is what ‘the marriage rule’ means, and if there isn’t satisfaction, this should bring the marriage into question. Yet, as the narrative progresses, it is soon evident that bedroom antics are not the only thing that Elle should be worried about.
This was dark and I enjoyed seeing how the plot threads would come together. Monks Takhar still leaves a few surprises for readers and I appreciated these a long the way. In my opinion, I think the writer intends for readers to guess an element of the story because it is a reflection of the sector that Elle works in and the realisation about the reality of people’s circumstances. Indeed, significantly, Elle’s life takes on a mirror of the people she represents at work – except she, like so many others, cannot recognise this.
Be prepared for darkness and a slow burner of a story. However, once it gets going, you find you cannot put this book down and want to know just how far this ‘marriage rule’ will either make or break Elle’s life.
With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book is cleverly structured at the beginning and ending of Elle’s crisis. In present day, she wakes up in bed next to a dead body, an abhorrent hang over and very little memory of what happened. Readers are then taken back twenty one days previously, and we begin to understand how events lead up to Elle’s strange awakening.
Initially I was frustrated by how slow the story took to get going. I felt I was more interested in the bedroom scene and couldn’t care much about what happened to Elle previously. Yet, the more I learned about this past narrative, the more I realised its importance. Indeed, it came to the point where each timeline ended on a cliff-hanger, making me hungry to read further about revelations.
To a point, the plot is predictable. I found it quite obvious to see the direction that the story was headed, perhaps adding to my trouble immersing myself into the novel. However, I was compelled by how the past would marry up to the present, as well as seeing the bigger picture with Elle’s marriage. She is clearly struggling, based on how much alcohol she consumes, and cannot see that her marriage to Dom isn’t perhaps as glorious as she may have thought.
Covering particularly sobering themes, Monks Takhar explores marriage and relationships. Marriage vows are taken to a new extreme in this book and Elle can’t help but question why she struggles to satisfy Dom on the intimate side of their relationship. According to Elle’s close friend, this is what ‘the marriage rule’ means, and if there isn’t satisfaction, this should bring the marriage into question. Yet, as the narrative progresses, it is soon evident that bedroom antics are not the only thing that Elle should be worried about.
This was dark and I enjoyed seeing how the plot threads would come together. Monks Takhar still leaves a few surprises for readers and I appreciated these a long the way. In my opinion, I think the writer intends for readers to guess an element of the story because it is a reflection of the sector that Elle works in and the realisation about the reality of people’s circumstances. Indeed, significantly, Elle’s life takes on a mirror of the people she represents at work – except she, like so many others, cannot recognise this.
Be prepared for darkness and a slow burner of a story. However, once it gets going, you find you cannot put this book down and want to know just how far this ‘marriage rule’ will either make or break Elle’s life.
With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Marriage Rule.
TW/CW: gaslighting, sexual abuse and violence, adultery, alcoholism
The premise read like a standard domestic thriller but then it got weird and strange fast.
I'm all for weird and strange but these elements didn't work in The Marriage Rule.
The author was incorporating the very real dangers women face in relationships and marriages but it came off as unfocused and messy.
First, let's take a look at Elle: she's your standard trope in these books, a mother struggling with her body and new baby and trying to get back on track at work.
She's also an alcoholic, dulling her psychological and mental pain with booze. And a new man at work.
It's hard to like her.
I don't mind flawed or unlikable people. We're human. We have issues.
We have problems. But Elle was just...not interesting.
One morning she wakes up from a boozy night unable to remember anything or what happened the night before. Okay, no problem.
Except for the dead man in her bed. That's a problem.
Then readers are taken two weeks into the past to see how everything came to a head.
Second trope; Elle's husband Dom, who apparently looks like Thor. Or Chris Hemsworth.
He's kind, caring, solicitous, a great dad, hands-on, and attentive to all of Elle's needs.
Or is he too attentive?
The red flags are there but naturally Elle, being human, chooses to ignore them.
Then we come back to the present and are hit with an info dump of who Dom really is, his true nature, the reasons Elle's MIL is so mean and cold to her.
This style of writing and the novel's structure was confusing and disorganized; most of the revelations felt like it came out of left field.
And that ending...I don't know if the author's purpose was to create a twist so readers are shocked and bewildered but it was too hard to suspend disbelief on top of everything I had just read.
Who doesn't like women helping women but in the story the support from the women felt forced and kind of not helpful either.
TW/CW: gaslighting, sexual abuse and violence, adultery, alcoholism
The premise read like a standard domestic thriller but then it got weird and strange fast.
I'm all for weird and strange but these elements didn't work in The Marriage Rule.
The author was incorporating the very real dangers women face in relationships and marriages but it came off as unfocused and messy.
First, let's take a look at Elle: she's your standard trope in these books, a mother struggling with her body and new baby and trying to get back on track at work.
She's also an alcoholic, dulling her psychological and mental pain with booze. And a new man at work.
It's hard to like her.
I don't mind flawed or unlikable people. We're human. We have issues.
We have problems. But Elle was just...not interesting.
One morning she wakes up from a boozy night unable to remember anything or what happened the night before. Okay, no problem.
Except for the dead man in her bed. That's a problem.
Then readers are taken two weeks into the past to see how everything came to a head.
Second trope; Elle's husband Dom, who apparently looks like Thor. Or Chris Hemsworth.
He's kind, caring, solicitous, a great dad, hands-on, and attentive to all of Elle's needs.
Or is he too attentive?
The red flags are there but naturally Elle, being human, chooses to ignore them.
Then we come back to the present and are hit with an info dump of who Dom really is, his true nature, the reasons Elle's MIL is so mean and cold to her.
This style of writing and the novel's structure was confusing and disorganized; most of the revelations felt like it came out of left field.
And that ending...I don't know if the author's purpose was to create a twist so readers are shocked and bewildered but it was too hard to suspend disbelief on top of everything I had just read.
Who doesn't like women helping women but in the story the support from the women felt forced and kind of not helpful either.
March 3, 2025
THE MARRIAGE RULE BY HELEN MONKS TAKHAR.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Release date set for the 8th of May 2025.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It had me hooked from the very beginning.
I loved the storyline and thought it was paced perfectly.
The story is told in the past and present.
Check your triggers as there are a few sensitive topics.
This is my first book by this author and I've seen that she has another 3 out that I will check out.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Release date set for the 8th of May 2025.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It had me hooked from the very beginning.
I loved the storyline and thought it was paced perfectly.
The story is told in the past and present.
Check your triggers as there are a few sensitive topics.
This is my first book by this author and I've seen that she has another 3 out that I will check out.
May 27, 2025
The Marriage Rule had potential, but the constant back and forth in the timeline made it feel more drawn out than necessary. The shifting perspectives and time jumps sometimes disrupted the flow and made it harder to stay fully engaged with the plot.
That said, it’s a decent psychological thriller with some compelling twists. Fans of Gone Girl might enjoy the layered relationships and suspenseful moments, even if the pacing isn’t as tight. Overall, a good read, but not a standout in the genre.
That said, it’s a decent psychological thriller with some compelling twists. Fans of Gone Girl might enjoy the layered relationships and suspenseful moments, even if the pacing isn’t as tight. Overall, a good read, but not a standout in the genre.
March 3, 2025
THE MARRIAGE RULE BY HELEN MONKS TAKHAR.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Release date set for the 8th of May 2025.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It had me hooked from the very beginning.
I loved the storyline and thought it was paced perfectly.
The story is told in the past and present.
Check your triggers as there are a few sensitive topics.
This is my first book by this author and I've seen that she has another 3 out that I will check out.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Release date set for the 8th of May 2025.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It had me hooked from the very beginning.
I loved the storyline and thought it was paced perfectly.
The story is told in the past and present.
Check your triggers as there are a few sensitive topics.
This is my first book by this author and I've seen that she has another 3 out that I will check out.
July 18, 2025
Psychological thriller? Yeay, thats my fav genre and i do excited to read it everytime this genre was serve to me.
But… for this book?
Honestly, i do enjoy it but the theme was not for me because it leads to sexual assault in marriage (im okay with this theme actually, but maybe the story was always talk about 18sx or maybe the jalan cerita turn up the way i dont like. Eh susah how to explained😅) So, if you are sensitive (annoying) with this issue, you can consider to pick up this book.
I thought the concept of The Marriage Rule was NO CHEATING AND BE HONEST. But the real meaning is about SEX 😅 i feel uncomfortable when reading it. i did enjoy the opening when Elle was wake up in the hotel with a dead man beside her. She was cheating with her loyal husband, Dom. It is told how Elle was struggling faces a motherhood, mother-in-law ‘puaka’, worked load problem with demand boss, Anton and alcohol dependency. By all mean, her life was messy but she try to put smile in her face and act like all her burden was a piece of cake.
The first two to three chapters, the author cleverly plays with a plot twist where the dead body that Elle thinks it was Gabriel, turn up its not him but someone else that Elle hates. Who? Read it to spill the tea 😂
The pacing was good. The story was told by the POV of present day and back 21 days before the events leading up to murder. The plot keep you guessing who’s the brat until the end and end up you will not expected that someone you wouldn’t think would do evil things, that’s what they actually did.
It includes all aspects in marriage life between Elle and Dom, friendship between Elle and Sal, family issue, dark secret, abusive and violance. Overall, evethough the book was ‘meh’ for me, but the story line and the idea was superb.
But… for this book?
Honestly, i do enjoy it but the theme was not for me because it leads to sexual assault in marriage (im okay with this theme actually, but maybe the story was always talk about 18sx or maybe the jalan cerita turn up the way i dont like. Eh susah how to explained😅) So, if you are sensitive (annoying) with this issue, you can consider to pick up this book.
I thought the concept of The Marriage Rule was NO CHEATING AND BE HONEST. But the real meaning is about SEX 😅 i feel uncomfortable when reading it. i did enjoy the opening when Elle was wake up in the hotel with a dead man beside her. She was cheating with her loyal husband, Dom. It is told how Elle was struggling faces a motherhood, mother-in-law ‘puaka’, worked load problem with demand boss, Anton and alcohol dependency. By all mean, her life was messy but she try to put smile in her face and act like all her burden was a piece of cake.
The first two to three chapters, the author cleverly plays with a plot twist where the dead body that Elle thinks it was Gabriel, turn up its not him but someone else that Elle hates. Who? Read it to spill the tea 😂
The pacing was good. The story was told by the POV of present day and back 21 days before the events leading up to murder. The plot keep you guessing who’s the brat until the end and end up you will not expected that someone you wouldn’t think would do evil things, that’s what they actually did.
It includes all aspects in marriage life between Elle and Dom, friendship between Elle and Sal, family issue, dark secret, abusive and violance. Overall, evethough the book was ‘meh’ for me, but the story line and the idea was superb.
April 30, 2025
3/5
This book took way longer than it needed to. While reading this book it put me into a bad book slump and I had forced myself to read the book even though I wasn’t truly enjoying it. This book was interesting to read. It bounced from the present to the past between each chapter which made it interesting and stay on your toes. I didn’t really like the idea of the marriage rule in general I think that’s a bit dated but for the book it made sense. I had a hard time connecting with the characters especially our main chapter Elle. I just found her annoying. As a person that has no clue what to do with my life either I understood Elle on that level but other than that I just wanted to slap her in the face. Even though I didn’t really enjoy the characters the concept of this story did want me to know what happens and the writing. The twists and everything keep me wanting to know what happens next. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sending me and allowing me to read this ARC that comes out on May 13, 2025.
This book took way longer than it needed to. While reading this book it put me into a bad book slump and I had forced myself to read the book even though I wasn’t truly enjoying it. This book was interesting to read. It bounced from the present to the past between each chapter which made it interesting and stay on your toes. I didn’t really like the idea of the marriage rule in general I think that’s a bit dated but for the book it made sense. I had a hard time connecting with the characters especially our main chapter Elle. I just found her annoying. As a person that has no clue what to do with my life either I understood Elle on that level but other than that I just wanted to slap her in the face. Even though I didn’t really enjoy the characters the concept of this story did want me to know what happens and the writing. The twists and everything keep me wanting to know what happens next. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sending me and allowing me to read this ARC that comes out on May 13, 2025.
May 17, 2025
This was a dark tale of domestic suspense and abuse that started off going one way (a new mother battling alcohol addiction and trying to keep her 'perfect husband happy by following the marriage rule of always giving in to sex when he wants it) only to have it slowly revealed that her husband has been manipulating her in horrible ways.
Twisty, if a bit slow-moving, this might be a hard read for some but tackles timely topics of violence against women and girls, rape, abortion, alcoholism, gas-lighting, domestic abuse and more. It was good on audio and perfect for fans of books like The best way to bury your husband, Gone girl or The silent patient. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Twisty, if a bit slow-moving, this might be a hard read for some but tackles timely topics of violence against women and girls, rape, abortion, alcoholism, gas-lighting, domestic abuse and more. It was good on audio and perfect for fans of books like The best way to bury your husband, Gone girl or The silent patient. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
April 1, 2025
The setup had me intrigued—a struggling new mom, a dead stranger, and a husband who might be her only way out. But the execution? Messy. Elle’s downward spiral is believable, but her choices are so reckless it’s hard to feel invested. The pacing drags early on, then suddenly crams in twists that feel more like last-minute shock value than real plot development.
The revelation of Dom’s past and the affair all seemed to come out of left field, like the author was throwing in drama just for the sake of it. And the so-called Marriage Rule? Built up as something profound but ended up feeling flimsy and underwhelming.
If you love domestic thrillers, this might be worth a shot, but for me, it was forgettable and frustrating—like a slow-burn that fizzles out instead of exploding.
The revelation of Dom’s past and the affair all seemed to come out of left field, like the author was throwing in drama just for the sake of it. And the so-called Marriage Rule? Built up as something profound but ended up feeling flimsy and underwhelming.
If you love domestic thrillers, this might be worth a shot, but for me, it was forgettable and frustrating—like a slow-burn that fizzles out instead of exploding.
June 23, 2025
Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHousePublishingGroup for the book #TheMarriageRule by #HelenMonksTakhar. Elle has a 9 month old and is married to a great man. But she isn’t happy. After waking up in a hotel next to her dead college, Gabriel, she knows the only person that can save her is her husband, Dom. There are a lot of trigger so keep this mind while reading this book.
Read
March 23, 2025DNF
put-aside
March 30, 2025Implausible. Twenty percent in, put aside. DNF. Read the ending. Yes, implausible.
May 24, 2025
The Marriage Rule by Helen Monks Takhar is a compelling psychological drama that gradually pulls you into the unraveling life of Elle. At first, the story’s slow pace made it tough to settle in—I found myself more intrigued by the tension between Elle and Dom than the early backstory. However, the dual timeline structure, shifting between Elle waking up beside a dead body and the preceding three weeks, cleverly builds suspense and keeps you turning the pages.
While parts of the plot felt predictable, the emotional depth and portrayal of a marriage under strain—shadowed by Elle’s struggle with motherhood, addiction, and isolation—ground the novel in a sobering reality. The “marriage rule” that looms over Elle is a haunting metaphor for the compromises and silent suffering that can happen behind closed doors.
Overall, it’s a slow burner that rewards patience with a gripping payoff. Fans of psychological thrillers with a focus on complex relationships will find plenty to think about here.
While parts of the plot felt predictable, the emotional depth and portrayal of a marriage under strain—shadowed by Elle’s struggle with motherhood, addiction, and isolation—ground the novel in a sobering reality. The “marriage rule” that looms over Elle is a haunting metaphor for the compromises and silent suffering that can happen behind closed doors.
Overall, it’s a slow burner that rewards patience with a gripping payoff. Fans of psychological thrillers with a focus on complex relationships will find plenty to think about here.
May 20, 2025
Could not finish due to content
April 19, 2025
Elle is a struggling new mom, who can’t decide if her life is what she truly wants. While she loves her child she feels as if her husband forced himself into her life and melded it into what he wanted.
Her good friend brings up the “marriage rule” to encourage her to fix her relationship issues…. To keep your man satisfied no matter what.
After a night away for work, Elle is left with glaring black spots as to what has happened…and needs to piece her evening together before she loses a lot more than her dignity.
Highly recommend for a fast paced, jaw dropping twist of a thriller! Loved it!
Her good friend brings up the “marriage rule” to encourage her to fix her relationship issues…. To keep your man satisfied no matter what.
After a night away for work, Elle is left with glaring black spots as to what has happened…and needs to piece her evening together before she loses a lot more than her dignity.
Highly recommend for a fast paced, jaw dropping twist of a thriller! Loved it!
March 1, 2025
This book left me guessing up until the very end. Things are definitely not as they appear as you read through the days of Elle, taking the time to journal her thoughts as she is battling her addiction to alcohol. The book opens fast and furious: Elle wakes up, seemingly hungover from the night before, finding herself in over her head. The only person she can turn to is her husband - but as Elle begins to think over the days leading her here, we quickly realize things aren't as they seem.
This book was heavier than I expected, so keep in mind there's some darker themes within - adultery, murder. rape, assault, abuse are all present within the pages of The Marriage Rule. I also thought the flashback pieces painted Elle into an unflattering picture - one that is understandable in the long run, but almost made her unlikable to the reader. It's a fine line to walk, but as I carried through I completely understood the choices made by the author. Overall, an intense read that kept you guessing throughout.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
This book was heavier than I expected, so keep in mind there's some darker themes within - adultery, murder. rape, assault, abuse are all present within the pages of The Marriage Rule. I also thought the flashback pieces painted Elle into an unflattering picture - one that is understandable in the long run, but almost made her unlikable to the reader. It's a fine line to walk, but as I carried through I completely understood the choices made by the author. Overall, an intense read that kept you guessing throughout.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
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May 24, 2025Thank you to Booklist and Random House for the opportunity to review this title.
At nine months postpartum, Elle is struggling with her body, her work-life balance, and her husband Dom’s marital expectations. As she battles feelings of inadequacy and guilt, Elle finds ways to escape via alcohol and secret rendezvous with a coworker. While attending a work event, Elle wakes up in her hotel room next to a dead body, with no memory of how she got there. Who is lying next to her? Did she kill him? Even though it will destroy their future, Elle turns to Dom, knowing he is the only one who can save her. Monks Takhar’s (Nothing Without Me, 2024) newest thriller is a slow-burn treatise on the dangers of assumption. What at first seems like self-deprecation by a woman who seems to have the perfect life gradually morphs into a serious case of domestic abuse and self-destruction. While entertaining as a whole, the plot would have been better served with more perspectives, as some of the key details feel piled on and too convenient for the reader, coming from a single POV. Recommended for readers who enjoyed Chris Bohjalian’s The Flight Attendant (2018).
At nine months postpartum, Elle is struggling with her body, her work-life balance, and her husband Dom’s marital expectations. As she battles feelings of inadequacy and guilt, Elle finds ways to escape via alcohol and secret rendezvous with a coworker. While attending a work event, Elle wakes up in her hotel room next to a dead body, with no memory of how she got there. Who is lying next to her? Did she kill him? Even though it will destroy their future, Elle turns to Dom, knowing he is the only one who can save her. Monks Takhar’s (Nothing Without Me, 2024) newest thriller is a slow-burn treatise on the dangers of assumption. What at first seems like self-deprecation by a woman who seems to have the perfect life gradually morphs into a serious case of domestic abuse and self-destruction. While entertaining as a whole, the plot would have been better served with more perspectives, as some of the key details feel piled on and too convenient for the reader, coming from a single POV. Recommended for readers who enjoyed Chris Bohjalian’s The Flight Attendant (2018).
March 8, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Helen Monks Takhar’s The Marriage Rule starts off strong, immediately pulled me in with its gripping premise. The tension built well in the beginning, keeping me hooked and eager to uncover the story’s secrets. However, as the novel progressed, my excitement faded.
While the book had the potential to be a compelling psychological thriller, it ultimately felt disjointed. The plot became increasingly scattered, with certain elements that seemed random and out of place. Additionally, the dark and disturbing themes added nothing of value to the plot. Instead of enhancing the suspense, these aspects felt unnecessary and even detracted from the overall experience, making the story feel more chaotic than impactful.
I wanted to love this book, and for a while, I did. But by the end, I was left feeling more disappointed than satisfied. If you enjoy thrillers with unpredictable twists, The Marriage Rule might still be worth a read—but for me, it fell short of its initial promise.
Helen Monks Takhar’s The Marriage Rule starts off strong, immediately pulled me in with its gripping premise. The tension built well in the beginning, keeping me hooked and eager to uncover the story’s secrets. However, as the novel progressed, my excitement faded.
While the book had the potential to be a compelling psychological thriller, it ultimately felt disjointed. The plot became increasingly scattered, with certain elements that seemed random and out of place. Additionally, the dark and disturbing themes added nothing of value to the plot. Instead of enhancing the suspense, these aspects felt unnecessary and even detracted from the overall experience, making the story feel more chaotic than impactful.
I wanted to love this book, and for a while, I did. But by the end, I was left feeling more disappointed than satisfied. If you enjoy thrillers with unpredictable twists, The Marriage Rule might still be worth a read—but for me, it fell short of its initial promise.
January 10, 2025
I enjoyed this one. I liked the structure of the story - the way we flipped back and forth from the present day to weeks earlier made sure that I kept turning the pages as often the present day bits were left on cliffhangers and I was desperate to get back to them. The plot held my interest and covered some interesting and important themes. I was really intrigued as to how everything would come together at the end.
The only thing that stopped me from really loving this is that the writing style didn't quite connect with me. This is obviously personal preference and others may really like it.
Overall I thought this was a good book and I would recommend it.
The only thing that stopped me from really loving this is that the writing style didn't quite connect with me. This is obviously personal preference and others may really like it.
Overall I thought this was a good book and I would recommend it.
January 15, 2025
The Marriage Rule by Helen Monks Takhar
☆☆☆Publication date 8th May 2025☆☆☆
What’s the one thing you need to do to stay married?
Elle would never have ended up in danger if she’d followed the Marriage Rule, the one thing she’s been told a wife needs to do, even if it breaks her. A twisty domestic thriller, I raced through this book in two nights. Compulsive and intelligently written, a huge five stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
☆☆☆Publication date 8th May 2025☆☆☆
What’s the one thing you need to do to stay married?
Elle would never have ended up in danger if she’d followed the Marriage Rule, the one thing she’s been told a wife needs to do, even if it breaks her. A twisty domestic thriller, I raced through this book in two nights. Compulsive and intelligently written, a huge five stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
July 11, 2025
(41/2025) 2.5/5🌟 Psychological Thriller | 302 pages
A marriage doesn’t only involve two person making vows for each other. A marriage involves compromises, and understanding- in good or bad. A marriage allows the two parties involved to acknowledge each of their flaws, and to accept them as they are.
Elle fell in love (did she?) and got married to the most caring man in the whole wide world. She wasn’t going to lie to herself but sometimes she feared Dominic. Dominic could be domineering at times but she knew Dom meant well. They had a baby, and postpartum, Elle went through emotional turmoils. She was struggling with motherhood and she was battling at work after being away for so long during the maternity leave. She felt ugly, pressured at home, not until her mother-in-law got involved too. But, what more could she ask for when she had an adoring husband who was so good with housework and the baby? She just needed to pull through.
Not until a new colleague arrived. Gabriel was interesting. He was also a good friend, colleague and he helped Elle went through the days at the office. Gabriel had this quality that made him different from Dominic, and she couldn’t lie to herself that she was attracted, but Dominic would always burst her bubble. She knew her place.
One night, on an away day for the office, Elle woke up in the middle of the night in a hotel room next to someone who was not Dominic. There was a dead man, on the bed, beside her. Elle went through what happened that led to the night but she couldn’t remember anything. Sal, her bestfriend, had reminded her that Elle needed to just follow the marriage rule to a successful matrimony but, yeah, she did not, the reason why she was in such a situation. Deep down she knew she was caught in a trap and that someone really hated her? Elle knew, Dominic was the only person who could help her now, wasn’t he?
The story had certainly made me uncomfortable right from the beginning. I dare say, almost all the characters involved were morally-grey. I braved myself in reading through because I was sure a morally-grey character would have its own backstory. There was one character who was caught in having a fetish that you couldn’t help but wonder does such people exist?
I was unable to be connected with any of the characters because each of them in my opinion was annoyingly so selfish? The story might have saved itself due to its storytelling of alternate timelines between the past and the present from the POV of the main character, piquing my curiousity in knowing what exactky went wrong.
I have my suspicions but experiences have told me, if the writers wanted to test the readers, it won’t be that easy. To my surprise, it was that easy, metaphorically mirroring the feelings experienced by the main character, whose moral of the story tells us that sometimes we have to trust ourselves more.
The story certainly comes with trigger warnings of domestic and sexual violence. I rated the story low because I got uncomfortable but the issues portrayed are important because women are always the victims of sweet persuasion and because women naturally care.
Read this if you think women matter and women deserved to be in their safe space. Thank you #timesreads for this review copy in exchange with my honest personal opinion.
#justreaddontbawang #bookmehnia #2025reads #JulyReads #JulyTBRs #bookstagrammalaysia #bookstagrammy #malaysiamembaca #bookstagrammer #bookgram #bibliophile #bibliophilemy #bookish #bookaddict #bookaesthetic #readersofinstagram #goodreads #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookworm #themarriagerule #helenmonkstakhar
A marriage doesn’t only involve two person making vows for each other. A marriage involves compromises, and understanding- in good or bad. A marriage allows the two parties involved to acknowledge each of their flaws, and to accept them as they are.
Elle fell in love (did she?) and got married to the most caring man in the whole wide world. She wasn’t going to lie to herself but sometimes she feared Dominic. Dominic could be domineering at times but she knew Dom meant well. They had a baby, and postpartum, Elle went through emotional turmoils. She was struggling with motherhood and she was battling at work after being away for so long during the maternity leave. She felt ugly, pressured at home, not until her mother-in-law got involved too. But, what more could she ask for when she had an adoring husband who was so good with housework and the baby? She just needed to pull through.
Not until a new colleague arrived. Gabriel was interesting. He was also a good friend, colleague and he helped Elle went through the days at the office. Gabriel had this quality that made him different from Dominic, and she couldn’t lie to herself that she was attracted, but Dominic would always burst her bubble. She knew her place.
One night, on an away day for the office, Elle woke up in the middle of the night in a hotel room next to someone who was not Dominic. There was a dead man, on the bed, beside her. Elle went through what happened that led to the night but she couldn’t remember anything. Sal, her bestfriend, had reminded her that Elle needed to just follow the marriage rule to a successful matrimony but, yeah, she did not, the reason why she was in such a situation. Deep down she knew she was caught in a trap and that someone really hated her? Elle knew, Dominic was the only person who could help her now, wasn’t he?
The story had certainly made me uncomfortable right from the beginning. I dare say, almost all the characters involved were morally-grey. I braved myself in reading through because I was sure a morally-grey character would have its own backstory. There was one character who was caught in having a fetish that you couldn’t help but wonder does such people exist?
I was unable to be connected with any of the characters because each of them in my opinion was annoyingly so selfish? The story might have saved itself due to its storytelling of alternate timelines between the past and the present from the POV of the main character, piquing my curiousity in knowing what exactky went wrong.
I have my suspicions but experiences have told me, if the writers wanted to test the readers, it won’t be that easy. To my surprise, it was that easy, metaphorically mirroring the feelings experienced by the main character, whose moral of the story tells us that sometimes we have to trust ourselves more.
The story certainly comes with trigger warnings of domestic and sexual violence. I rated the story low because I got uncomfortable but the issues portrayed are important because women are always the victims of sweet persuasion and because women naturally care.
Read this if you think women matter and women deserved to be in their safe space. Thank you #timesreads for this review copy in exchange with my honest personal opinion.
#justreaddontbawang #bookmehnia #2025reads #JulyReads #JulyTBRs #bookstagrammalaysia #bookstagrammy #malaysiamembaca #bookstagrammer #bookgram #bibliophile #bibliophilemy #bookish #bookaddict #bookaesthetic #readersofinstagram #goodreads #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookworm #themarriagerule #helenmonkstakhar
May 7, 2025
I have read and enjoyed all this author's previous books so I was very happy to get my mitts on this, her latest. And I wasn't disappointed!
In this book we meet Elle. She is struggling juggling parenting with work, she is also trying to get back her pre-baby body and intimacy between her and adoring husband Dom is waning. She is also feeling guilty about that as he is so helpful with the baby, and she is so tired. So tired that her work performance is being affected, her boss being oh so pleased to point out her every mistake. And she is drinking way too much. In fact, she really isn't having a great time of things at all. Until she meets Gabriel at work. There's a spark. One that shouldn't be there. And then that spark is acted on and they start to grab moments together. And then there's a work do, in a hotel, and she has booked a room.
Long story short, she wakes up, next to a dead body. With scant memory of what happened the night before...
And so begins a rather eye opening story which I really do confess, the most of which I never saw coming. Yes there were hints and things in the first few chapters that had my spidey senses tingling, and I did feel a few things were a bit off, but I never thought we were going there! I'd love to wax lyrical more but, you know, spoilers! Suffice to say, as soon as it all really kicked off, I sat back with my huge bucket of (imaginary) popcorn, and just enjoyed the ride...
One of the things I really loved about this book was the way that the author drew me in and set my feelings about Elle, mostly through her own words in the drinking journal she has decided to keep. And then, once I had all that fixed in my head, turned the world upside down as the truth started being revealed. The whole shocking truth.
Other characters were just as well described. I especially loved the portrayal of Dom's mother. She must have been fun to write, she definitely was great to read! And what can I say about the main main himself. Well, not much really cos, spoilers. But I can say he was a cracker too.
And the story, brutal and with no punches pulled it really tugged on my emotions. Positive and negative and all things in-between. If I had to criticise, and I kinda do as that's the point of a review, pacing is a bit off in the beginning. I know there is a bunch to set up, but it did drag a wee bit on occasion. Also I wasn't as wholly satisfied at the ending as maybe I could have been, but, again, I can't explain why here.
All in all though, a good solid read that I did enjoy and which is also a good addition to what is shaping up to be a very decent back catalogue. I do wonder what the author will have for me next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
In this book we meet Elle. She is struggling juggling parenting with work, she is also trying to get back her pre-baby body and intimacy between her and adoring husband Dom is waning. She is also feeling guilty about that as he is so helpful with the baby, and she is so tired. So tired that her work performance is being affected, her boss being oh so pleased to point out her every mistake. And she is drinking way too much. In fact, she really isn't having a great time of things at all. Until she meets Gabriel at work. There's a spark. One that shouldn't be there. And then that spark is acted on and they start to grab moments together. And then there's a work do, in a hotel, and she has booked a room.
Long story short, she wakes up, next to a dead body. With scant memory of what happened the night before...
And so begins a rather eye opening story which I really do confess, the most of which I never saw coming. Yes there were hints and things in the first few chapters that had my spidey senses tingling, and I did feel a few things were a bit off, but I never thought we were going there! I'd love to wax lyrical more but, you know, spoilers! Suffice to say, as soon as it all really kicked off, I sat back with my huge bucket of (imaginary) popcorn, and just enjoyed the ride...
One of the things I really loved about this book was the way that the author drew me in and set my feelings about Elle, mostly through her own words in the drinking journal she has decided to keep. And then, once I had all that fixed in my head, turned the world upside down as the truth started being revealed. The whole shocking truth.
Other characters were just as well described. I especially loved the portrayal of Dom's mother. She must have been fun to write, she definitely was great to read! And what can I say about the main main himself. Well, not much really cos, spoilers. But I can say he was a cracker too.
And the story, brutal and with no punches pulled it really tugged on my emotions. Positive and negative and all things in-between. If I had to criticise, and I kinda do as that's the point of a review, pacing is a bit off in the beginning. I know there is a bunch to set up, but it did drag a wee bit on occasion. Also I wasn't as wholly satisfied at the ending as maybe I could have been, but, again, I can't explain why here.
All in all though, a good solid read that I did enjoy and which is also a good addition to what is shaping up to be a very decent back catalogue. I do wonder what the author will have for me next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
July 7, 2025
The Marriage Rule was an unexpectedly dark and disturbing story that tackles the theme of sexual assault (graphic depictions of rape) and domestic violence and abuse in a way that makes you uncomfortable reading it until the end. It follows the story of Elle, who just gives birth to her beautiful daughter. New to motherhood, Elle was struggling to balance her parenting and her work along with being intimate with her husband, Dom. While she feels like she should feel grateful for her life, Elle finds it hard to be genuinely happy until she meets Gabriel. Date, exchange glances, Gabriel is Elle's best distraction until one night, she wakes up in a hotel room next to a man who's not her husband. And he's dead.
With 291 pages, the book goes back and forth between dual timelines (the present and the day before the murder). Through Elle's perspective, we're offered such a complicated 'marriage' life, handling a difficult mother-in-law and her horrible workplace harassment. It was truly exhausting and draining reading Elle's narrative as she was struggling with her alcoholism and her husband's demands. There's always a weird, unsettling tone throughout the story that you're unable to pinpoint. It also feels like we're walking on thin ice.
While I love the premise, I found that the execution is quite flat. The transition between the timelines was badly affecting the story flow. I usually love dual timelines, as they help give us so much information about the murder and the motive, but the shift between the timelines was not as smooth as I wanted it to be, making me feel fully disengaged with the whole storyline and the characters. Further, the storyline was predictable since you obviously could see the direction of where the story headed (not that it's bad), since there's a bigger picture of Elle's marriage.
The story took the marriage vow to an extreme level. I do think the story is very thought-provoking and refreshing, especially reading Elle's narrative and thinking that she's an unreliable narrator but instead just an abuse victim. The final part was shocking and jaw-dropping since I didn't expect the graphic depiction of SA, and it was brutal. Overall, I'm giving this 3 ⭐️ Thank you @timesreads for the review copy!
With 291 pages, the book goes back and forth between dual timelines (the present and the day before the murder). Through Elle's perspective, we're offered such a complicated 'marriage' life, handling a difficult mother-in-law and her horrible workplace harassment. It was truly exhausting and draining reading Elle's narrative as she was struggling with her alcoholism and her husband's demands. There's always a weird, unsettling tone throughout the story that you're unable to pinpoint. It also feels like we're walking on thin ice.
While I love the premise, I found that the execution is quite flat. The transition between the timelines was badly affecting the story flow. I usually love dual timelines, as they help give us so much information about the murder and the motive, but the shift between the timelines was not as smooth as I wanted it to be, making me feel fully disengaged with the whole storyline and the characters. Further, the storyline was predictable since you obviously could see the direction of where the story headed (not that it's bad), since there's a bigger picture of Elle's marriage.
The story took the marriage vow to an extreme level. I do think the story is very thought-provoking and refreshing, especially reading Elle's narrative and thinking that she's an unreliable narrator but instead just an abuse victim. The final part was shocking and jaw-dropping since I didn't expect the graphic depiction of SA, and it was brutal. Overall, I'm giving this 3 ⭐️ Thank you @timesreads for the review copy!
June 18, 2025
𝘼𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙮 "𝙄 𝙙𝙤," 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙤...
That tagline and the prologue really hooked me—no lie. I went into this book completely blind and was immediately intrigued. A domestic thriller about the cracks in marriage, motherhood, temptation, and secrets? I was ready for a wild ride.
Unfortunately, after that gripping start, most of my excitement slowly fizzled out.
The writing style just didn’t click with me. I found it hard to stay engaged—it felt like it dragged in places, and not in a slow-burn, tension-building way. It was more of a disjointed slog through unnecessary detail that didn’t seem to add much to the story. The back-and-forth structure (particularly the chapters leading up to Day 21) didn’t help either. They felt repetitive, drawn out, and often lost focus.
That said, I did enjoy the “present-day” chapters—specifically those centered on Day 21 (Saturday). Those parts had a more urgent, suspenseful tone that worked. If the whole book had carried that same energy, this would’ve been a very different review.
As for the characters—honestly, the kids (Elle and Dom’s baby and their niece) were the only ones I found remotely likable. Everyone else was kind of insufferable, and by the end, I either strongly disliked them or didn’t care about them at all—no in between.
I understand what the author was trying to convey, and the themes were thoughtfully woven throughout the story, but I’ve read far stronger books exploring this kind of concept.
All in all, this wasn’t a hit for me. It took me multiple sittings over several days to get through it, and that’s usually a sign. While I can see how this might resonate more with other readers, it just didn’t land for me.
(cw: alcoholism, sexual assault, abuse)
- 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.💐ᡣ𐭩
That tagline and the prologue really hooked me—no lie. I went into this book completely blind and was immediately intrigued. A domestic thriller about the cracks in marriage, motherhood, temptation, and secrets? I was ready for a wild ride.
Unfortunately, after that gripping start, most of my excitement slowly fizzled out.
The writing style just didn’t click with me. I found it hard to stay engaged—it felt like it dragged in places, and not in a slow-burn, tension-building way. It was more of a disjointed slog through unnecessary detail that didn’t seem to add much to the story. The back-and-forth structure (particularly the chapters leading up to Day 21) didn’t help either. They felt repetitive, drawn out, and often lost focus.
That said, I did enjoy the “present-day” chapters—specifically those centered on Day 21 (Saturday). Those parts had a more urgent, suspenseful tone that worked. If the whole book had carried that same energy, this would’ve been a very different review.
As for the characters—honestly, the kids (Elle and Dom’s baby and their niece) were the only ones I found remotely likable. Everyone else was kind of insufferable, and by the end, I either strongly disliked them or didn’t care about them at all—no in between.
I understand what the author was trying to convey, and the themes were thoughtfully woven throughout the story, but I’ve read far stronger books exploring this kind of concept.
All in all, this wasn’t a hit for me. It took me multiple sittings over several days to get through it, and that’s usually a sign. While I can see how this might resonate more with other readers, it just didn’t land for me.
(cw: alcoholism, sexual assault, abuse)
- 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.💐ᡣ𐭩
August 20, 2025
thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for early access to this title in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own.
while the premise of this book was very enticing, the actual content was simply ✨ beyond ✨ girly, this needs the biggest, PHATTEST trigger warning: grape, emotional abuse, gaslighting, toxic relationships, cheating & more. I almost put this down because I'm not really in a state to be reading those themes rn, but I trudged thru bebe (pray for me at this time).
This book will get the alarm bells going on your mind. But at what cost? Despite the cold open, where we are introduced to Elle. she is actively in deep cheating on her husband. But I honestly .. did not hate her. and then, honestly, I didn't blame her. Dom (aka vin diesel in my brain) was insufferable. ew ew ew. the perfect man had me blind with white hot rage for 99 percent of this book. So, despite my complaints (below) this book had me feeling some things.
the rest of the characters were all grayscale for me. occasionally, I felt the story dragged a bit. I also found the non-linear timeline confusing and I didn't understand how that really served the story. the plot was okay, but I wish the author had either 1) gone a different direction or 2) issued rigger warnings.
if you're considering reading this, I would check some of the other reviews for trigger warnings I may have missed. if you like this one, I'd recommend Room for Rent by Noelle Ilhi and/or a flicker in the dark by Stacey Willmingham.
while the premise of this book was very enticing, the actual content was simply ✨ beyond ✨ girly, this needs the biggest, PHATTEST trigger warning: grape, emotional abuse, gaslighting, toxic relationships, cheating & more. I almost put this down because I'm not really in a state to be reading those themes rn, but I trudged thru bebe (pray for me at this time).
This book will get the alarm bells going on your mind. But at what cost? Despite the cold open, where we are introduced to Elle. she is actively in deep cheating on her husband. But I honestly .. did not hate her. and then, honestly, I didn't blame her. Dom (aka vin diesel in my brain) was insufferable. ew ew ew. the perfect man had me blind with white hot rage for 99 percent of this book. So, despite my complaints (below) this book had me feeling some things.
the rest of the characters were all grayscale for me. occasionally, I felt the story dragged a bit. I also found the non-linear timeline confusing and I didn't understand how that really served the story. the plot was okay, but I wish the author had either 1) gone a different direction or 2) issued rigger warnings.
if you're considering reading this, I would check some of the other reviews for trigger warnings I may have missed. if you like this one, I'd recommend Room for Rent by Noelle Ilhi and/or a flicker in the dark by Stacey Willmingham.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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